The Swallow Boathouse
 

Came across this video on youtube yesterday which I found fascinating. It's a little history on the boathouse at Windward Harbor which used to house the steamship Swallow, and shows some "rails" which are underwater near it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D3x4_UkIiM

Somewhere in my family's folklore of The Lake, we always thought a sailboat was in the boathouse at one point (given the height of the doors), and there was a connection to the Kona Mansion. Does anyone recall a connection to either a sailboat or Kona?

Also, does anyone know if there are pictures of the Swallow in or around the Boathouse?

Swallow boathouse
 

Fascinating stuff. This website always has interesting, fascinating stories about the lake. Keep up the good work fellow "saukeeites"

I too have always been of the mindset that it housed a sailboat but cannot for the life of me find the thread or article.


McDude ??? This is right up YOUR alley

Very interesting vid tho ….. thanks for sharing.

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/photop...lowkehonka.jpg
Showing the Swallow at Camp Kehonka - real photo from 1941


https://www.winnipesaukee.com/photop...merswallow.jpg

Also at Camp Kehonka (Wolfeboro) 1941


https://www.winnipesaukee.com/photop...um/swallow.jpg


The only steam-propelled public yacht on Winnipesaukee. Capt. Nat Goodhue, Owner. Charter Trips by Appointment. No date.



https://www.winnipesaukee.com/photop...r_Carnival.jpg

Water Carnival at the Weirs
From Edward H. Blackstone's photograph collection, used in his wonderful book, Farewell Old Mount Washington - The Story of the Steamboat Era on Lake Winnipesaukee


https://www.winnipesaukee.com/photop...se_8185AsW.jpg

This photo (posted by flyguy in 2010) says
The Swallow Boathouse (aka Windward Harbor boathouse) is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Just beautiful!


https://www.winnipesaukee.com/photop...5/IMG_5790.jpg

This photo (also posted in 2010 by Alby Albrevaya) says, "
Swallows Nest, was the 1900 home of the steam yacht Swallow. It was originally part of the old Kona Mansion and is still looking beautiful today."

Specs?
 

I recall my ather pointing out thew Swallopw when we were creuising the ake in the 50's
Anybody know anything about her specs? Length, beam, draft, height above water, speed?
What of her demise?

What a wonderful piece of local history. Thank you all for sharing this.

High Ho!
 

The high doors would accommodate the tall masts on the Swallow. 🐻

Boat house
 

Three years ago I purchased my current boat from a guy whose family owns the boat house. I believe it's currently in a trust. Before we left with the boat he gave me a tour inside. Very impressive to see the Captain's and crews quarters as well as the coal bins. It has been used more recently for weddings and unfortunately for the wake/funeral of the owners brother. I think I have some photos taken inside. If I find them, I'll post them.

Here's a link to a nice article from a few years ago.

https://www.nhhomemagazine.com/the-s...g-masterpiece/

It's right around the corner from our place. Love looking across the cove at it and/or paddling/boating over to it.

Swallow demise
 

The Swallow was in the water at Goodhue and Hawkins before slowly dry rotting to death on Blake Rd. in Moultonborough for years. Used to drive by on my way to work for Mr. Tower at the Woodshed when RJ would slow roast multiple sides of prime rib over the wood fire pit. Only job you didn't want was the garbage load on a hot summer day. Tup Goodhue said the wheelhouse was purchased and is now part of a restaurant somewhere in Connecticut. The boathouse sat open around 1970 when the cove was shallow, weedy and undeveloped.

P.S. Caught the biggest yellow perch off Swallow Point I've ever seen by dropping a worm to the bottom and picking it up about a foot. Oh well another fish story no cell phones back then and I certainly didn't want to eat it so back in he went.

We summered at Windward Harbor a couple times when I was a kid and remember dropping a bare hook in the water and you'd catch a sunfish or perch. Best fishing spot on the lake for kids I've ever been to.